Sensor bearing assembly

ABSTRACT

A sensor bearing assembly includes a bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring centered on an axis, an impulse ring secured to the outer ring of the bearing, and a sensor device for detecting rotational parameters of the impulse ring. The sensor device includes a sensor housing and at least one sensor element supported by the sensor housing and cooperating with the impulse ring. An annular spacer is configured to axially abut against a lateral face of the inner ring of the bearing and the sensor housing is secured to the spacer. An outer diameter of the sensor housing is less than or equal to an outer diameter of the outer ring.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to Indian patent application no.202141022135 filed on May 17, 2021, the contents of which are fullyincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a sensor bearing assemblycomprising a bearing, an impulse ring, a sensor device and a spacersupporting the sensor device. The disclosure also relates to a sensorbearing assembly specifically adapted for a vehicle such as a motorbike,a bicycle, a tricycle or a quad.

BACKGROUND

Today, sensor bearing assemblies or units are commonly used in a widerange of technical fields, for example in the automotive industry andaeronautics. These units provide high quality signals and transmissions,while allowing integration in simpler and more compact apparatus.

A sensor bearing unit generally comprises a bearing, an impulse ringsecured to the rotatable ring of the bearing, and a sensor unit ordevice in order to determine the angular position of the impulse ringwith respect to the fixed ring of the bearing.

WO 2015/117670 A1 discloses an example of a sensor bearing assemblyequipping a two-wheeled vehicle axle. The sensor bearing assemblycomprises an impulse ring secured to the outer ring of the rollingbearing, a spacer adapted to axially abut against the inner ring, and asensor device comprising a sensor housing secured onto the spacer.

With such solution, it is necessary to know in advance the specificshape of the hub of the two-wheeled vehicle intended to receive thesensor bearing assembly.

SUMMARY

One aim of the present disclosure is to overcome this drawback.

The disclosure relates to a sensor bearing assembly comprising a bearingincluding an inner ring and an outer ring centered on an axis, animpulse ring secured to the outer ring of the bearing, and a sensordevice for detecting rotational parameters of the impulse ringcomprising a sensor housing and at least one sensor element supported bythe sensor housing and cooperating with the impulse ring.

The sensor bearing assembly further comprises an annular spacer adaptedto axially abut against a lateral face of the inner ring of the bearing.The sensor housing of the sensor device is secured onto the spacer.

According to a general feature, the outer diameter of the sensor housingof the sensor device is smaller or equal to the outer diameter of theouter ring of the bearing.

With such design, it is not necessary to foresee a specific shape on thehub of the vehicle to receive the sensor housing of the sensor device.This is because the outer boundary dimension of the sensor bearingassembly is identical to that of the bearing.

The sensor bearing assembly may be supplied as a kit with the spacer andthe sensor device separated from the bearing. Alternatively, the sensorbearing assembly may be supplied as a single unit with the spacersecured to the inner ring of the bearing.

In one embodiment, the impulse ring is made of metal and provided withalternating teeth and apertures and the sensor element of the sensordevice is configured to sense the metal impulse ring teeth andapertures.

Advantageously, the assembly further comprises a friction ring mountedon the outer surface of the sensor housing of the sensor device definingthe outer diameter of the sensor housing, and a seal arranged around thefriction ring and having at least one lip in friction contact with thefriction ring.

This increases the robustness of the assembly by eliminating theprobability of external pollutants going towards the impulse ring in thepath of sensing.

The lip of the seal may be in radial and/or axial friction contact withthe friction ring.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the friction ring is smaller than orequal to the outer diameter of the outer ring of the bearing.

Advantageously, the sensor housing of the sensor device defines a closedspace inside which is located the sensor element. Accordingly, thesensor element is protected from external pollutants.

In one embodiment, the sensor housing of the sensor device comprises anannular inner axially extending portion secured onto the spacer, anannular outer axially extending portion radially surrounding the inneraxial portion, and opposite annular radially extending portionsextending between the inner and outer axial portions, the closed spacebeing delimited by the inner and outer axially extending portions andthe radially extending portions.

The sensor device may further comprise a printed circuit boardsupporting the sensor element. The printed circuit board may be axiallymounted against the radial portion of the sensor housing facing theimpulse ring.

In one embodiment, the sensor housing of the sensor device comprises acable output extending radially outwards from the outer surface of thesensor housing, the cable output being the only portion of the sensorhousing protruding outwards with respect to the outer surface.

Preferably, the inner diameter of the spacer is equal to the innerdiameter of the inner ring of the bearing. Accordingly, the spacer doesnot protrude radially inwards relative to the inner ring of the bearing.Therefore, it is not necessary to foresee a specific shape of the axleof the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the sensor element of the sensor device is aninductive sensor, the impulse ring being made of metal and provided withalternating teeth and apertures to be detected by the sensor element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood bystudying the detailed description of a specific embodiment given by wayof non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an axial perspective sectional view of a sensor bearingassembly according to a first example of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor bearing assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an impulse ring of the sensor bearingassembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 4 is a partial axial sectional view of a two-wheeled vehicleprovided with the sensor bearing assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an impulse ring of a sensor bearingaccording to second example of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an impulse ring of a sensor bearingaccording to third example of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The sensor bearing assembly 10 represented in FIG. 1 is particularlyadapted to equip a vehicle such as a motorbike, a bicycle, a tricycle ora quad.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sensor bearing assembly 10 comprises abearing 12, and an impulse ring 14 and a sensor device 16 mounted on thebearing.

The bearing 12 comprises an inner ring 18 and an outer ring 20. Theinner and outer rings 18, 20 are concentric and extend axially along thebearing rotation axis X-X′ which runs in an axial direction. The outerring 20 radially surrounds the inner ring 18. The inner and outer rings18, 20 are made of steel.

As will be described later, the sensor bearing assembly 10 furthercomprises a spacer 22 axially abutting against the inner ring 18 of thebearing. The impulse ring 14 is secured to the outer ring 20 of thebearing and the sensor device 16 is secured to the spacer 22.

In the illustrated example, the bearing 12 also comprises a row ofrolling elements 23, which are provided here in the form of balls,interposed between raceways (not referenced) formed on the inner andouter rings 18, 20.

The bearing 10 also comprises a cage 24 for maintaining the regularcircumferential spacing of the rolling elements 23. The bearing 10further comprises seals 26, 28 radially disposed between the inner andouter rings 18, 20 to define a closed space inside which the rollingelements 23 are arranged.

The outer ring 20 is provided with a cylindrical inner surface or bore20 a and with an outer cylindrical surface 20 b which is radiallyopposite to the bore 20 a. In the illustrated example, a toroidalcircular raceway for the rolling elements 23 is formed from the bore 20a, the raceway being directed radially inwards. Two grooves (notreferenced) are also formed on the bore 20 a into which are secured theseals 26, 28.

In this example, the outer ring 20 is also provided with two oppositeradial lateral faces 20 c, 20 d which axially delimit the bore 20 a andthe outer surface 20 b of the ring.

A groove 30 is formed on the outer surface 20 b of the outer ring. Thegroove 30 is oriented radially outwards, i.e. radially on the sideopposite to the inner ring. The groove 30 extends radially inwards fromthe outer surface 20 b of the outer ring. In the illustrated example,the groove 30 has an annular form.

The groove 30 is axially delimited by two side walls 30 a, 30 b. Theside walls 30 a, 30 b axially face each other. The side walls 30 a, 30 bare axially spaced apart from each other. The groove 30 also comprises abottom 30 c connected to the side walls 30 a, 30 b. The outer surface 20b of the outer ring and the bottom 30 c of the groove are radiallyoffset. The bottom 30 c is radially offset inward with regard to theouter surface 20 b. The side walls 30 a, 30 b of the groove extendradially. The bottom 30 c extends axially. The groove 30 has a U-shapedcross-section.

In the illustrated example, the outer surface 20 b of the outer ring hasa stepped shape. The outer surface 20 b is provided with a firstcylindrical portion 20 b ₁ and with a second cylindrical portion 20 b ₂which is radially offset inwards, i.e. towards the inner ring 18, withrespect to the first cylindrical portion 20 b ₁. The diameter of thecylindrical portion 20 b ₁ defines the outer diameter of the outer ring20.

The groove 30 is axially interposed between the first and secondcylindrical portions 20 b ₁, 20 b ₂. The side wall 30 b of the grooveaxially delimits the first cylindrical portion 20 b ₁. More precisely,the first cylindrical portion 20 b ₁ is axially delimited by the lateralface 20 d and the side wall 30 b. The side wall 30 a of the grooveaxially delimits the second cylindrical portion 20 b ₂. More precisely,the second cylindrical portion 20 b ₂ is axially delimited by thelateral face 20 c and the side wall 30 a.

Similarly to the outer ring 20, the inner ring 18 is provided with acylindrical inner surface or bore 18 a and with an outer cylindricalsurface 18 b which is radially opposite to the bore 18 a. In theillustrated example, a toroidal circular raceway for the rollingelements 23 is formed from the outer surface 18 b, the raceway beingdirected radially outwards.

The inner ring 18 is also provided with two opposite radial lateralfaces 18 c, 18 d which axially delimit the bore 18 a and the outersurface 18 b of the ring.

The spacer 22 has an annular form. The spacer 22 axially abuts againstthe lateral face 18 c of the inner ring. The spacer 22 does not protrudeaxially into the bore 18 a of the inner ring. The spacer 22 is providedwith a cylindrical inner surface or bore 22 a and with an outercylindrical surface 22 b which is radially opposite to the bore 22 a.The inner diameter of the spacer 22 is equal to the inner diameter ofthe inner ring 18 of the bearing. In other words, the diameter of thebore 22 a of the spacer is equal to the diameter of the bore 18 a of theinner ring.

The spacer 22 is also provided with two opposite radial lateral faces 22c, 22 d which axially delimit the bore 22 a and the outer surface 22 bof the sleeve. The lateral face 22 d of the spacer comes into axiallycontact against the lateral face 18 c of the inner ring. The spacer 22may be made of steel.

As previously indicated, the sensor device 16 is secured onto the spacer22. The sensor device 16 is secured onto the outer surface 22 b of thespacer.

The sensor device comprises a sensor body or housing 34 and sensorelements (not shown) supported by the sensor housing 34. The sensordevice 16 also comprises a printed circuit board 36 secured to thesensor housing 34 and supporting the sensor elements.

The sensor housing 34 has an annular form. The sensor housing 34 isaxially offset with respect to the bearing 12 and the impulse ring 14.The sensor housing 34 remains axially spaced apart from the bearing 12and the impulse ring 14. The sensor housing 34 is fixedly secured ontothe spacer 22. The sensor housing 34 is fixedly secured onto the outersurface 22 b of the spacer. The sensor housing 34 is not able to slideor rotate relative to the spacer 22.

The outer diameter of the sensor housing 34 is smaller than the outerdiameter of the outer ring 20 of the bearing.

The sensor housing 34 comprises an annular outer axial portion 38, anannular inner axial portion 40 secured onto the spacer 22 and oppositeannular radial portions 42, 44 extending between the outer and inneraxial portions. The outer and inner axial portions 38, 40 are concentricand coaxial with the axis X-X′. The inner axial portion 40 is fixedlysecured onto the outer surface 22 b of the spacer.

The outer surface of the outer axial portion 38 forms the outer surfaceof the sensor housing 34. The outer diameter of the outer axial portion38 defines the outer diameter of the sensor housing 34. The outerdiameter of the sensor housing 34 is smaller than the outer diameter ofthe outer ring 20 of the bearing. Alternatively, the outer diameter ofthe sensor housing 34 may be equal to the outer diameter of the outerring 20.

The outer axial portion 38 of the sensor housing radially surrounds theinner axial portion 40. The outer axial portion 38 extends axially fromthe radial portion 42 towards the bearing 12. The outer axial portion 38extends axially from a large-diameter edge of the radial portion 42.

The inner axial portion 40 defines the bore of the sensor housing 34.The inner axial portion 40 is secured to the spacer 22. The inner axialportion 40 extends axially from the radial portion 42 towards thebearing 12. The inner axial portion 40 extends axially from asmall-diameter edge of the radial portion 42. The radial portion 42 islocated at one end of the outer and inner axial portions 38, 40. Theradial portion 44 is located at the opposite end of the outer and inneraxial portions 38, 40. The radial portion 44 axially faces the bearing12 and the impulse ring 14. The radial portion 44 remains axially spacedapart from the bearing 12 and the impulse ring 14.

The sensor housing 34 defines an annular closed space 46 inside which islocated the printed circuit board 36. The space 46 is radially delimitedby the outer and inner axial portions 38, 40. The space 46 is axiallydelimited by the radial portions 42, 44.

In the illustrated example, the sensor housing 34 also comprises a cableoutput 48 inside which is intended to engaged a cable (not shown) fortransmitting sensing data. The cable output 48 forms a protrudingportion extending radially outwards from the outer surface of the sensorhousing 34. The cable output 48 protrudes radially outwards from theouter axial portion 38 of the sensor housing. Only the cable output 48radially protrudes outwards with respect to the outer surface of thesensor housing 34.

In the illustrated example, the cable output 48 has a tubular form.Alternatively, the cable output 48 may have other shapes, for example arectangular parallelepiped form. The cable engaged inside the cableoutput 48 comprises several electrical wires (not shown) connected tothe printed circuit board 36.

In the disclosed example, the sensor device 16 is provided with theconnecting cable for transmitting sensing data. Alternatively, theconnecting cable may be omitted from the sensor device 16 when wirelesssensor elements are used. In this case, the sensor housing 34 does notinclude the cable output 48.

In the illustrated example, the sensor body 34 is made in two partsstacked one relative to the other in the axial direction. The sensorbody 34 is made of a synthetic material. For example, the sensor body 34may be made of Nylon 66 (PA 6.6) or Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).Alternatively, the sensor body 34 can also be made from other materials,for example steel. The sensor body 34 may be secured to the spacer 22 byany appropriate means, for example by overmolding, gluing, plasticwelding, etc.

The printed circuit board 36 is secured to the sensor housing 34. Theprinted circuit board 36 is housed inside the space 46 defined by thesensor housing 34. In the illustrated example, the printed circuit board36 is secured to the radial portion 44 of the sensor body axially facingthe impulse ring 14 and the bearing 12. The printed circuit board 36 isaxially mounted against the radial portion 44. Alternatively, theprinted circuit board 36 may be secured to the inner axial portion 40 orto the outer axial portion 38 of the sensor body.

The sensor elements are supported by the printed circuit board 36 whichis itself supported by the sensor housing 34. As will be describedlater, the sensor elements are mounted on the printed circuit board 36axially on the side of the radial portion 44 of the sensor body.

As previously mentioned, the impulse ring 14 is secured to the outerring 18. The impulse ring 14 is secured onto the outer surface 20 b ofthe outer ring. The impulse ring 14 is secured into the groove 30 formedon the outer surface 20 b. As will be described later, in this example,the outer diameter of the impulse ring 14 is smaller than the outerdiameter of the outer ring 20. The impulse ring 14 radially surroundsthe spacer 22. In the disclosed example, the impulse ring 14 is made inone part. The impulse ring 14 is made of metal.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the impulse ring 14 comprises an annularradial portion 52 and a plurality of outer axial lugs 54 extendingaxially from the radial portion 52. Each lug 54 extends axially from alarge-diameter edge of the radial portion 52. The lugs 54 are spacedapart in the circumferential direction, here regularly. The lugs 54 arehere identical one to another. In the illustrated example, three lugs 54are provided. Alternatively, a different number of lugs 54 may beforeseen, for example at least two lugs. For example, each lug 54 mayextend over an angular sector of from 35° to 55°, and preferably beequal to 45°.

In the illustrated example, a slight axial gap is provided between theimpulse ring 14 and the lateral face 20 c of the outer ring. The radialportion 52 of the impulse ring axially faces the lateral face 20 c.Alternatively, the impulse ring 14 may be mounted axially against thelateral face 20 c. In this case, the radial portion 52 of the impulsering axially faces the lateral face 20 c and also comes into axialcontact with the lateral face 20 c.

The lugs 54 are mounted radially around the outer surface 20 b of theouter ring. Each lug 54 radially comes into contact with the outersurface 20 b. Each lug 54 radially comes into contact with the secondcylindrical portion 20 b 2 of the outer surface. Each lug 54 is radiallyoffset inwards, towards the inner ring 18, with respect to the firstcylindrical portion 20 b ₁ of the outer surface of the outer ring. Theimpulse ring 14 is entirely radially offset inwards with respect to thefirst cylindrical portion 20 b ₁. The outer surface of the lugs 54defines the outer diameter of the impulse ring 14. The outer diameter ofthe impulse ring 14 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer ring20. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the impulse ring 14 may beequal to the outer diameter of the outer ring 20.

Each lug 54 is provided with a hook 56 extending radially inwards andengaged inside the groove 30 formed on the outer surface of the outerring to axially retain the impulse ring 14 relative to the outer ring.Each hook 56 axially abuts against the side wall 30 a of the groove.Each hook 56 is provided at the free end of the associated lug 54. Eachhook 56 and the associated lug 54 have an L-shaped cross-section. Thelugs 54 and the hooks 56 together form a snapping portion of the impulsering 14.

As previously mentioned, in the illustrated example, the impulse ring 14is provided with a plurality of axial lugs 54. Alternatively, theimpulse ring 14 may be provided with an annular axial portion extendingaxially from the radial portion 52 and with the hooks 56 or with anannular hook engaged inside the groove 30 of the outer ring. In suchcase, the annular axial portion and the hooks 56, or the annular hook,form together the snapping portion of the impulse ring 14.

In the illustrated example, the impulse ring 14 is provided with aplurality of through-openings 58 formed on the radial portion 52. Theopenings 58 extend through the axial thickness of the radial portion 52.The openings 58 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, hereregularly. The openings 58 are here identical one to another. In theillustrated example, three openings 58 are provided. Alternatively, adifferent number of openings 58 may be foreseen, for example only oneopening, or at least two openings 58. For example, each opening 58 mayextend over an angular sector from 35° to 55°, and preferably be equalto 45°. Alternatively, it is possible to foresee another angular sizefor the openings 58. In the illustrated example, each through-opening 58is circumferentially disposed between two successive lugs 54 while beingradially offset inwards. Each through-opening 58 opens radiallyoutwards. With the through-openings 58, the radial portion 52 isprovided at its periphery with radial sectors, here three.Alternatively, the impulse ring 14 may be provided of opening and lug.

Each through-opening 58 is formed on the radial portion 52 such that apart of the lateral face 20 c of the outer ring is accessible from theoutside through the opening 58. In other words, each opening 58 of theradial portion 52 leaves exposed a part of the lateral face 20 c of theouter ring. As will be described later, the through-openings 58 of theimpulse ring enable a tool to axially push directly on the outer ring 20of the bearing during the installation of the sensor bearing assembly10.

Each through-opening 58 is formed on the radial portion 52 of theimpulse ring to be radially located between the bore 20 a and the outersurface 20 b of the outer ring. Each through-opening 58 is radiallyoffset outwards with respect to the bore 20 a and radially offsetinwards with respect to the outer surface 20 b. The inner diameter ofeach through-opening 58 is larger than the diameter of the bore 20 a,and its outer diameter is smaller than the diameter the outer surface 20b.

In this example, the impulse ring 14 is also provided with a pluralityof through slots or apertures 60 regularly spaced apart in thecircumferential direction. The apertures 60 extend through the axialthickness of the radial portion 52. The apertures 60 are radially offsetinwards with regard to the through-openings 58. A tooth 62 is formedbetween each pair of successive apertures 60. Hence, the impulse ring 14is provided with alternating teeth 62 and apertures 60.

As previously mentioned, each sensor element (not shown) is mounted onthe printed circuit board 36 axially on the side of the radial portion44 of the housing. Each sensor element cooperates with the impulse ring14 through the radial portion 44 of the housing. The sensor elements aredisposed on the same diameter on the printed circuit board 36. Eachsensor element is radially aligned with one of the teeth 62 or apertures60 of the impulse ring. The sensor elements are regularly spaced apartin the circumferential direction. For example, the sensor device 16 maycomprise three sensor elements. Alternatively, a different number ofsensor elements may be foreseen, for example one or two sensor elementsor at least four sensor elements.

Preferably, the sensor elements use induction technology. Each sensorelement may include an inductive switch sensor such as a sensing coil.The switch of each sensor element is triggered by the metal impulse ring14. The teeth 62 and apertures 60 of the impulse ring are used asdifferential inductance field references.

As an alternative, the impulse ring 14 and the sensors element may useany other suitable technology instead of induction technology. Forexample, optical technology or magnetic technology may be implemented.In the case of magnetic technology, the impulse ring 14 may includealternating North and South poles and the sensor elements may includeHall-effect sensors. In the case of optical technology, the radialportion 44 may be transparent.

In the illustrated example, the sensor bearing assembly 10 furthercomprises a friction ring 64 mounted on the outer surface of the sensorhousing 34. The friction ring 64 is mounted on the outer surface of theouter axial portion 38 of the sensor housing. The friction ring 64 hasan annular form. The outer diameter of the friction ring 64 is smallerthan the outer diameter of the outer ring 20 of the bearing.Alternatively, the outer diameter of the friction ring 64 may be equalto the outer diameter of the outer ring 20. The friction ring 64 may bemade of steel or plastic material. The friction ring 64 is secured tothe sensor housing 34 by any appropriate means, for example by gluing,by overmolding, etc.

The sensor bearing assembly 10 also comprises a seal 66 arranged aroundthe friction ring 64 and coming into radial friction contact with thering. The seal 66 radially surrounds the friction ring 64.

The seal 66 is provided with an annular heel 66 a and with two annularfriction lips 66 b projecting from the heel. Each friction lip 66 bextends inwardly from the heel 66 a. Each friction lip 66 b extendsobliquely. One of the friction lips 66 b extends obliquely on the sideof the bearing 12 while the other lip 66 b extends obliquely on theopposite side.

Each lip 66 b of the seal comes into friction contact with the frictionring 64. Each lip 66 b of the seal comes into friction contact with theouter surface of the friction ring 64. The contact between each lip 66 band the friction ring 64 is radial. The lips 66 b are flexible in theradial direction. Preferably, the free end of each lip 66 b has atriangular shape in cross-section in order to reduce friction. In theillustrated example, the seal 66 is provided with two lips 66 b.Alternatively, the seal 66 may be provided with only one lip or withthree or more lips. The seals 66 may be made of elastomeric material,for example polyurethane.

As previously mentioned, the sensor bearing assembly 10 is particularlyadapted to equip a vehicle. As shown partially in FIG. 4 , the sensorbearing assembly 10 is mounted on a shaft 70 of a wheel between two arms72 of a fork (only one being visible in FIG. 4 ). The shaft 70 isprovided with a wheel hub 74.

The sensor bearing assembly 10 is mounted into a bore of the wheel hub74. The bearing 12 of the sensor bearing assembly is mounted into thebore of the wheel hub 74. The sensor housing 34 and the spacer 22 arepartly located inside the wheel hub 74 and protrude axially outwards.

The inner ring 18 of the bearing is mounted on the shaft 70 of thewheel. The outer ring 20 is mounted into the bore of the wheel hub 74.The outer ring 20 is intended to rotate with the wheel hub 74 while theinner ring 18 is intended to be fixed.

Since the outer diameter of the sensor housing 34 is smaller than theouter diameter of the outer ring 20, there is no contact between thesensor housing and the wheel hub 74. Similarly, since the outer diameterof the impulse ring 14 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outerring 20, there is no contact between the impulse ring and the wheel hub74.

In order to mount the bearing 12 inside the wheel hub 74, a specificmounting tool (not shown) may be used. The mounting tool is providedhere with three axial teeth spaced apart in the circumferentialdirection and configured to be engaged into one of the through-openingsof the impulse ring 14 without contact with the impulse ring. Each toothof the mounting tool extends through one of the openings of the impulsering 14 and axially come into contact with the lateral face 20 c of theouter ring of the bearing. The through-openings of the impulse ring 14allow the teeth of the tool to axially abut directly on the lateral face20 c of the outer ring.

The axial contact between the teeth of the tool and the lateral face 20c of the outer ring is the only contact between the tool and the sensorbearing assembly 10. An axial force is exerted directly onto the lateralface 20 c of the outer ring with the aid of the tool in order to mountthe bearing into the wheel hub 74. Preferably, the outer ring 20 ispress-fitted into the wheel hub 74. The through-openings of the impulsering 14 enable a tool to axially push directly on the outer ring 20 ofthe bearing during the installation of the sensor bearing assembly 10into the wheel hub 74.

The shaft 70 is mounted inside the bore of the inner ring 18 of thebearing and the bore of the spacer 22. The spacer 22 axially abutsagainst the lateral face 18 c of the inner ring 18 at one end, andaxially abuts against one of the arms 72 of the fork at the oppositeend.

The heel 66 a of the seal is mounted against the bore of the wheel hub74. The seal 66 may be secured to the wheel hub 74 by press-fitting. Thelips 66 b of the seal prevent the exterior pollutants from going towardsthe impulse ring 14.

As previously mentioned, in the first illustrated example, the impulsering 14 is secured to the outer ring of the bearing by snapping.

Alternatively, it could be possible to directly secure the impulse ring14 to the outer ring of the bearing by other means for example byriveting over the lateral face 20 c of the outer ring or by using dowelpins.

In such case, as shown in FIG. 5 , the impulse ring 14 does not includelugs and has through-holes 80 formed on the radial portion 52. The holes80 extend through the axial thickness of the radial portion 52. Therivets or the dowel pins (not shown) extend through the holes 80 of theimpulse ring and into blind holes formed on the lateral face 20 c of theouter ring in order to secure the impulse ring 14 to the outer ring. Inthe illustrated example, three through-holes 80 are provided on theimpulse ring 14. Alternatively, a different number of through-holes 80may be provided.

In another example, the impulse ring 14 as shown in FIG. 6 may besecured to the lateral face 20 c of the outer ring by gluing.

With such impulse rings 14 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , it is notnecessary to foresee a stepped shape for the outer surface of the outerring of the bearing.

In the illustrated examples, the sensor bearing assembly is providedwith a rolling bearing comprising one row of rolling elements.Alternatively, the rolling bearing may comprise at least two rows ofrolling elements. In the illustrated examples, the rolling elements areballs. Alternatively, the rolling bearing may comprise other types ofrolling elements, for example rollers. In another variant, the rollingbearing may also be provided with a sliding bearing having no rollingelements.

Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention weredescribed above in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Thisdetailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill inthe art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the presentteachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosedabove may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other featuresand teachings to provide improved sensor bearing units.

Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the abovedetailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention inthe broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularlydescribe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, variousfeatures of the above-described representative examples, as well as thevarious independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in waysthat are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provideadditional useful embodiments of the present teachings.

All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intendedto be disclosed separately and independently from each other for thepurpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose ofrestricting the claimed subject matter, independent of the compositionsof the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. In addition, allvalue ranges or indications of groups of entities are intended todisclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity forthe purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purposeof restricting the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor bearing assembly comprising: a bearingincluding an inner ring and an outer ring centered on an axis, animpulse ring secured to the outer ring of the bearing, a sensor devicefor detecting rotational parameters of the impulse ring, the sensordevice including a sensor housing and at least one sensor elementsupported by the sensor housing and cooperating with the impulse ring,and an annular spacer configured to axially abut against a lateral faceof the inner ring of the bearing and the sensor housing is secured ontothe spacer of the sensor device, wherein an outer diameter of the sensorhousing is less than or equal to an outer diameter of the outer ring. 2.The sensor bearing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising afriction ring mounted on an outer surface of the sensor housing, and aseal arranged around the friction ring and having at least one lip infriction contact with the friction ring.
 3. The sensor bearing assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein the at least one lip is in radial and/oraxial friction contact with the friction ring.
 4. The sensor bearingassembly according to claim 2, wherein an outer diameter of the frictionring is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the outer ring. 5.The sensor bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensorhousing defines a closed space and wherein the sensor element is locatedin the closed space.
 6. The sensor bearing assembly according to claim5, wherein the sensor housing comprises an annular inner axial portionsecured onto the spacer, an annular outer axial portion radiallysurrounding the inner axial portion, and opposite annular radialportions extending between the inner and outer axial portions, theclosed space being delimited by the inner and outer axial portions andthe radial portions.
 7. The sensor bearing assembly according to claim1, wherein the sensor device further comprises a printed circuit boardand wherein the sensor element is supported by the printed circuitboard.
 8. The sensor bearing assembly according to claim 7, wherein theprinted circuit board is axially mounted against the radial portion ofthe sensor housing facing the impulse ring.
 9. The sensor bearingassembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensor housing comprises acable output extending radially outwards from an outer surface of thesensor housing, wherein the cable output is the only portion of thesensor housing that protrudes outwards with respect to the outer surfaceof the sensor housing.
 10. The sensor bearing assembly according toclaim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the spacer is equal to an innerdiameter of the inner ring.